Rice Bran Wax Policosanol Ameliorates High-fat-diet-induced Hyperglycaemia and Fatty Liver through the Modulation of Adiponectin and LEPR Genes in Rats
Policosanol is a long-chain alcohols mixture present in animal and plant waxes. It has been shown to have several biological effects such as lipid-lowering, antiplatelet aggregation, and relief of intermittent claudication. Few reports have shown the effect of policosanol on glucose level in different animal models; however, the mechanism is yet to be well understood especially in high-fat-diet-induced hyperglycaemia. We have extracted and characterized rice bran wax policosanol (RBWP) previously. To investigate the effects of Rice Bran Wax Policosanol (RBWP) on high-fat-diet-induced hyperglycaemia and fatty liver, Sprague dawley rats were fed with a high-fat diet containing 2.5% cholesterol and then treated for 8 weeks. The rats were divided into RBWP treated, in comparison with Normal Diet (ND) and High-Fat Diet (HFD) groups. Rats body weight, lipid proï¬le, and plasma glucose were determined. Liver histology and transcriptional regulation of Adiponectin and LEPR genes were also evaluated. The results showed that RBWP significantly (P<0.05) reduced weight gain, improved lipid profile, plasma glucose, fat deposits in the liver; and increased hepatic mRNA expressions of Adiponectin and LEPR compared to HFD. The results suggest that RBWP attenuates high-fat-diet-induced hyperglycaemia and fatty liver through modulating Adiponectin and LEPR genes.